Thomasma receives Book of Golden Deeds award

Friday

Jan 17, 2014 at 9:00 PM

Sturgis Exchange Club presented its 71st Book of Golden Deeds Award to Elsa Thomasma at a club meeting Thursday.

By Justin Wrightjwright@sturgisjournal.com

Sturgis Exchange Club presented its 71st Book of Golden Deeds Award to Elsa Thomasma at a club meeting Thursday.Thomasma, 24, the youngest person ever to receive the award, has received attention for her contributions and volunteerism at a small village in the Philippines.She raised funds for a shelter in the village to protect the people from violent flooding that plagues the area. When Typhoon Haiyan hit last November, the shelter (known as "Project Ark") was able to keep everyone in the village safe. In a storm that caused more than 6,000 deaths in the Philippines, not one person from the village of Cangumbang died. Thomasma became known as "the girl who saved a village."The Exchange Club award was presented to Thomasma's parents, Mike and Cathy, since Elsa had returned to the Philippines helping with continued relief efforts."Even at an early age, Elsa was perceptive of other's needs," said Cathy Thomasma. "She was always giving away things to other people, like her shoes and clothes."Cathy also talked about the many things that Elsa has done for the village since originally going there in 2009, which included helping to complete construction on three homes in the village.She also helped orphaned children who were often neglected and hungry. She helped one woman who was pregnant and receiving no pre-natal care by taking her for an ultrasound and providing her with nutritional food and vitamins. Cathy said the woman eventually gave birth to twins, and named one of the children Elsa.The Book of Golden Deeds Award is the highest recognition given by the Exchange Club. It is meant to recognize the truly outstanding contributions made by a person to their country, community, or fellowman.